Exercising device and toy



Feb. 27, 1962 Filed March 5, 1959 INV EN TOR James B Hess ATTORNEY 5United States This invention relates to a device which is useful both asa plaything for children and as an exerciser for people of all ages.Ordinarily, a-toy which children find attractive and which is of thetype requiring physical exercise for its proper enjoyment, is not alsosuitable as an exercising device for adults. However, the device of thisinvention is an exception to this, in that its use has been found to bepopular among people of all ages, not only because of the enjoymentafforded by its use but also because of the beneficial result in the wayof healthful physical exercise accruing therefrom.

The combined exercising device and toy of this invention comprises agenerally L-shaped member, preferably formed of a semi-flexible materialand having, adjacent the upper end of the longer leg of the L, meanswhich will permit rotation of the L-shaped member about either of twomutually perpendicular axes.

Accordingly, an object of this invention is to provide a combinedexercising device and toy having utility to persons of all ages.

Another object of this invention is to provide a device of this generalnature comprising a generally L-shaped member having a rotatable holdingmeans substantially at the end of the longer leg of said L-shaped memberand being effective to permit rotation of said member about either oftwo mutually perpendicular axes.

The combined exercising device and toy of this invention is shown in theaccompanying drawing in which:

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic view of the device of this invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along the line 22 of FIG. 1 and showingthe handle in detail.

FIG. 3 is a further detailed view of the handle shown in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 4 is a general view showing the device of this invention.

The member is, as shown in FIG. 1, formed in a generally L shape. Thebottom portion is shown as being formed of the two relatively straightportions 11 and 12 which intersect at an angle deviating only slightlyfrom a straight angle. The member 10 is further modified from a strict Lshape by extending the bottom part 11 in a curving manner so that thereis a portion 13 which is generally parallel to the straight portion 14which has the handle 15 attached thereto at one end. Moreover, thetransition from the portions 11 and i2 to the portions 13 and 14,respectively, which are at right angles thereto, is effected in agradually curving manner rather than abruptly.

The L-shaped member 10 may be formed of any suitable lightweightmateriai, preferably of a semi-flexible nature; and may for example befabricated of polyethylene plastic. At the ends of the member 10 thereare spherical members 16 and 17 respectively. These ball-like members,and in particular the member 16, act as protective means to one usingthe device, as will subsequently become clear; and also act asdecorative parts.

At or near the end of the portion 14 of the L-shaped member 10 there isattached a handle 18 which is shown in greater detail in FIGS. 2 and 3.This handle 18 is formed of an outer cylindrical grip 19, as shown inFIG. 2, having a hollow core of relatively large diameter extending overmost of the length thereof but having a smaller bore 25 over a portionof its length at one end so as to form a shoulder 26. A rod-like member20 fits into the grip member and has a diameter that permits an easysliding fit within the smaller diameter portion of the atent ice grip19. This member 20 has an enlarged end portion 27 which abuts theshoulder in the grip 19, and also has a hole 28 passing therethrough atits otherend which is transverse to the axis of this rod-like member 20.

A clamp 21 is also provided, and this is formed of a strip of sheetmetal, being or" generally circular configuration so as to fit snuglyabout the portion 14 of the L- shaped member 10'. The end portions23.and 29 of this clamp are substantially parallel and holes are formedin these two end portions. As a result, it is possible to pass a bolt 22through these holes and also through the hole in member 20. Threads maybe provided in the hole 23 in the clamp 21, and this permits thethreading of the bolt 22 securely into the threaded hole of the clamp 21so as to provide a positive engagement between the rod-like member 20and the clamp 21. If desired, the threaded portion of the bolt 22 may bemade just long enough so as to protrude slightly beyond the hole 23 inwhich event the ends of the bolt may be peened over so as to provide apermanent assembly and make it impossible for the bolt 22 to be easilyremoved.

Alternatively, the threaded portion of the bolt 22 may be made longerand a locknut threaded on such portion. As shown, the circular portionof the clamp 21 may be formed with corrugations, as shown in FIG. 2, soas to provide a tightly clamping action about the portion 14 of theL-shaped member 10. The end of the bolt 22 may be provided with a fiatend portion, as shown, so as to enable one to readily exert a turningforce thereon with the fingers.

Just below the handle 18 is a sleeve 15 whose inner diameter is such asto provide an easy sliding fit over the portion 14. Just below thissleeve 15 isrubber grommet 24 which fits tightly about the member 14 andacts as a stop to prevent the sleeve 15 from sliding down the portion 14in normal use of the device.

It is contemplated that, in use, the exercise device of thisinventionwill be grasped by the handle 18 and that the handle 18 will beheld in a horizontal position by its user while the L-shaped member isrevolved about the axis of the handle 18. When used in this manner, theuser will obviously be required to skip over the portions 11 and 12 foreach revolution so that its eiiect will be somewhat akin to a jump ropewhen used in this way.

Alternatively, the handle portion 18 may be held vertically and themember 10 then swiftly revolved about the vertical axis so as to revolvecircularly about the person who is using it. It may additionally be usedby grasping the sleeve 15 and holding this portion in a verticaldirection while revolving the L-shaped member 10. When this is done,with the portions 11 and 12 toward the bottom, it may be used in such away that the user is again required to jump or skip over such portionsfor each revolution of the device. As a further alternative method ofuse, the handle 18 may be revolved from the position shown in FIGS. 1and 4. Of course, clamp 21 is first loosened in order to do this andthen retightened when the handle is in the desired new position. It willbe obvious that the device of this invention can then be readilymanipulated by one person in such a way as to provide exercise andamusement for a companion. Thus, the bottom portions 11 and 12 may thenbe revolved by the operator so that the nearby companion is required tojump over such bottom portion for each revolution. It is obvious fromthe structure shown that various other ways of using the device willreadily become apparent to one owning it.

Other modifications, adaptations and alterations may obviously be madeto the specific form of the invention shown, without departing from thespirit or scope thereof.

What I claim is:

1. A hand-held exercising device and toy comprising, a generallyL-shaped member, a first handle means for said member comprising asleeve rotatably fitting about said L-shaped member adjacent the end ofits longer leg, at

second handle means for said L-shaped member including an axial memberaffixed to and protruding at substantially right angles from saidL-shaped member adjacent said first handle means and including also arod member rotatably afiixed to and coaxial with said axial member.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein said axial member is generally parallelto the shorter leg of said L-shaped member.

3. The device of claim 1 in which said asial member is rotatablyadjustable substantially only in a plane perpendicular to said longerleg of said L-shaped member References Cited in the file of this patentUNITED STATES PATENTS 104,674 Whitehead June 21, 1870 1,505,473 KlubnickAug. 19, 1924 2,655,376 Hull Oct. 13, 1953 FOREIGN PATENTS 69 GreatBritain m. 1914

